Magic release Schedule

The 2009-10 season officially began Tuesday when the NBA released its schedule -- complete with national television broadcast.

Orlando will appear on national television a franchise record 24 times. The Magic trail only the Cleveland LeBrons... I mean Cavaliers... in national television appearances. The Lakers, Celtics and Spurs are also predominantly featured on the national TV broadcasts.

From that standpoint, the regular season schedule is coup for Orlando and all its fans. I know I am excited to see my Magic almost every week of the season from school. It should help grow the franchise too... especially if they win.

But, you cannot really glean much from a schedule besides who the NBA thinks is going to win and who the league wants to feature. It is clear Orlando is near the top of that list. The schedule though is virtually the same. Ah, the beauty of the NBA schedule.

Here are some other random thoughts on the Magic's schedule:

-Orlando's trip to the 2010 Finals begins the same way its trip to the 2009 Finals began: with the Philadelphia 76ers. Should be another interesting matchup and a good test for the Magic in their first game with the new-look roster. Ironically, the schedule also closes with the 76ers coming to the Amway Arena. Bad luck for those Philadelphia fans living in Orlando.

-The Magic's first national TV appearance is against the Cavaliers. All four of the games against Cleveland are going to be on TV and should be featured as one of the big rivalries of the season. Always look forward to this matchup especially with Shaquille O'Neal now in the picture.

-Always interesting to note is how many of the national television appearances are at home. I believe every NBA team should be given at least one home national television appearance -- yes even the Grizzlies. This is the best way to showcase every city in the league and their buildings. I obviously cared more about this when Orlando got only two or three national TV games, compared to 20-plus. But Orlando's national TV appearances break down like this: 12 home, 12 road. Eight additional games will be on NBATV.

-Can't tell if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but Orlando plays Oklahoma City twice in the first month. I like the Thunder and think they are a dark horse to make some noise in the West. Young teams play better at the beginning of the season. I don't think they will be in the playoffs next season, but the year after possibly. A young team like that could be trouble early on.

The same thing could happen with a young team like Toronto, whom Orlando faces twice on the road in November. Hedo Turkoglu is going to want to take out his former team early in the season while the emotions are hot.

-For the first time in a long time, the Magic are on the road for Thanksgiving, featuring a Thanksgiving night game at Atlanta. The chitlins will be cooking at the Howard household!

-Magic again host a Christmas game. They get the Celtics on Christmas Day at the Amway Arena a year after blowing out the Hornets last year.

-The big West road trips are in December and January again, as usual. Unusually they are both four-game trips and seem pretty well balanced with the Western powers. Have to feel good about doing better than .500 on both junkets out West.

-If I am not mistaken, the February 7 game at Boston will be the first time since 2005 that Orlando was scheduled to be on ABC when the schedule was released. The Magic played the Celtics on the ABC premier two years ago, but I do not think they have been scheduled to make the big stage appearance since Tracy McGrady led them against the Mavericks late in the 21-61 season.

-Lakers don't make their return trip to Orlando until March 7.

-Could the schedule not match up with my school's breaks better? I feel like I am going to be at only five non-Chicago Bulls games this season. At least they play the Bulls twice this year in Chicago and on days I can probably go.